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Foreign Affairs

The Greens want an independent Australian foreign policy with relationships with the rest of the world based on mutual respect. We believe that Australia can play an important role in standing up for human rights and democracy for all citizens. We think Australia should play a proactive role in promoting peace and ecological sustainability in the world through strong international agreements.

Under questioning by Greens Senator Rachel Siewert, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed berries being imported to Australia are not being subjected to any extra safety checks, in spite of contaminated products sparking an outbreak of Hepatitis A.

Senator Bob Brown and Senator Rachel Siewert urge state and federal leaders to boost mental health services and work towards a national, universal public dental care scheme.Senator Brown also vows to take on Rio Tinto, whose profit bonanza will benefit its more than 70-percent foreign shareholders, and other heavyweights as companies prepare to fight efforts to develop an alternative to coal and the Greens’ push to put an effective price on carbon.He also expressed his concern about Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s intransigence and any move to give greater powers to General Omar Suleiman who has a reputation as a torturer and murderer.

Senator Brown also vows to take on Rio Tinto, whose profit bonanza will benefit its more than 70-percent foreign shareholders, and other heavyweights as companies prepare to fight efforts to develop an alternative to coal and the Greens’ push to put an effective price on carbon.

He also expressed his concern about Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s intransigence and any move to give greater powers to General Omar Suleiman who has a reputation as a torturer and murderer.

The Australian Greens say it is unsatisfactory for the Government to take six months before deciding whether to accept or reject the findings made by the UN Human Rights Council’s periodic review of Australia on the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Australian Greens say it is unsatisfactory for the Government to take six months before deciding whether to accept or reject the findings made by the UN Human Rights Council’s periodic review of Australia on the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Senator SIEWERT (Western Australia) (9.54 am)—I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 102 standing in my name for today relating to international aid assistance for clean water and sanitation.I move the motion as amended: That the Senate:(a) recognises that 19 November 2010, is World Toilet Day – a day to acknowledge the importance of sanitation and raise awareness of the 2.6 billion people, two-fifths of humanity, who lack access to basic sanitation,

Senator SIEWERT (Western Australia) (9.54 am)—I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 102 standing in my name for today relating to international aid assistance for clean water and sanitation.I move the motion as amended: That the Senate:(a) recognises that 19 November 2010, is World Toilet Day – a day to acknowledge the importance of sanitation and raise awareness of the 2.6 billion people, two-fifths of humanity, who lack access to basic sanitation,

Senator SIEWERT (Western Australia) (9.08pm)—I rise to take part in a debate that should have happened 10 years ago—or nine years ago as we are in our 10th year of this conflict. It is good to see that the parliament is finally debating the merits of our military involvement in Afghanistan. While I welcome this opportunity and I am glad it has finally come, this highlights a problem in Australia in that, as I said, we are now in our 10th year of conflict and this is the first year time the parliament has discussed it in terms of debating it.

Senator SIEWERT (Western Australia) (9.08pm)—I rise to take part in a debate that should have happened 10 years ago—or nine years ago as we are in our 10th year of this conflict. It is good to see that the parliament is finally debating the merits of our military involvement in Afghanistan. While I welcome this opportunity and I am glad it has finally come, this highlights a problem in Australia in that, as I said, we are now in our 10th year of conflict and this is the first year time the parliament has discussed it in terms of debating it.

Thursday 16 September 2010
The Australian Greens are backing calls for Australia to take a front foot approach to UN’s Millennium Development Goal Summit in New York next week, to see greater international support for the provision of sanitation in the world’s poorest countries.

Thursday 16 September 2010

The Australian Greens are backing calls for Australia to take a front foot approach to UN’s Millennium Development Goal Summit in New York next week, to see greater international support for the provision of sanitation in the world’s poorest countries.